Working within education can be an extremely rewarding profession, giving you the opportunity to shape the lives of your students and provide them with the skills they need to realise their true potential.

But how can you tell if your teaching methods are meeting the needs of your students? After all, people respond to different stimuli and learn in various ways.

This is where studying an online Master of Education course can be so effective. Irrespective of the level or age group you currently teach this course will help you develop your critical reflection skills. It will also introduce you to various teaching approaches and demonstrate how technology can be used to inspire your students and transform their learning experience.

 

What is the course structure and what will I learn?

Our modern and flexible Master of Education (M.Ed.) explores different approaches to teaching and studying and highlights the benefits of Technology Enhanced Learning. It emphasises the significance of critical self-reflection and how this can help develop your practice in an innovative manner. You also have the option to choose from optional modules, tailoring your qualification to meet your career aspirations and specialise in your chosen area of education.

The programme encourages the sharing of insights and inspiration between yourself and other fellow educational professionals from across the globe. You will study modules that cover how educational delivery is influenced by society, the role of literature in academic practice and how to design, deliver and evaluate lessons incorporating TEL.

Irrespective of whether you are in your first teaching position or an experienced professional, the course looks to build on your experience, helping you develop new teaching strategies and approaches to learning. You will explore a range of theoretical concepts and gain an insight into their practical application by interacting and learning from fellow professionals across the globe.

 

What do I learn first?

During your first module, you will study and develop answers to a range of fundamental questions within education. Topics will include: what we believe the purpose of education is; how cultural and societal issues impact educational approaches; and what we understand the concepts of education and knowledge to entail. The module aims to help you understand some of the philosophical methods behind educational practices and nurture the skills to critically evaluate a range of pedagogical approaches.

You will then delve into the concepts and approaches around delivering effective teaching and learning. The course material will actively encourage you to consider your approach to learning facilitation. This includes how you can better tailor your approach to meet the needs of learners in various contexts. You will develop a wider knowledge and understanding of learning theories and practical education.

 

Can I tailor my studies?

Yes, you can! One of the benefits of this course is the opportunity to take one optional module that focus on a distinct aspect of education. This could be content or assessment development or people management. These optional modules, combined with the core subject material will help support your career progression, deepening your understanding of teaching and your knowledge within a specialist area.

 

What if I want something shorter?

Then either our PG Dip Education or PG Cert Education (Educational Practice) might be more of interest to you. The Master of Education has an indicative duration of 2 years while the PG Cert is 8 months and the PG Dip 16 months. These are both respected qualifications in their own right, which can help you to enhance your CV and develop the skills and knowledge required to explore a new career avenue. And if you choose to, it’s easy to continue your studies to Masters level after you complete one of these short courses.

 

Will I be able to teach with a Masters in Education?

This course will not provide you with a teaching qualification – you need to study an additional qualification to achieve this. Instead, this programme is the perfect stepping stone to enable educational professionals to transition towards more senior and managerial roles. This could be within teaching, lecturing, training, advisory or special educational context.

 

How does it differ from an M.A. in teaching?

The short answer is that it doesn’t particularly! Some institutions run an M.A., some run an M.Ed., and some even offer both. If you are hoping to progress into a leadership role, an M.Ed. may make more sense for you – but really it’s down to personal preference.

 

Is the PG Cert Education (Educational Practice) the same as a PGCE?

Although they sound similar, there are some key differences. A PGCE in the UK will provide training to allow you to qualify as a teacher after graduating, which is not the case with the education courses we offer. Our PG Cert is an award representing the first 60 credits of a Masters’ programme. It has an indicative study duration of 8 months, while a PGCE teacher training qualification normally takes 1-2 years to complete and will require practical teaching placements. There are also differences in the types of funding that are available for these courses, so please do research into whether the funding you are hoping to get applies to a non-PGCE course.

 

What are the benefits of online learning?

All our programmes are delivered 100% online and part-time. As a result, you have the flexibility to study where and when is best for you. You have the opportunity to work and learn at the same time, gaining a new qualification without the need for a career break.

All course content, study materials, and assessment submissions are available and completed through our sophisticated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This removes the need to visit a physical library or purchase additional textbooks as these are all available through our extensive eLibrary.

Your interactive lecturecasts will be available through the VLE which also hosts live Q&A sessions and immersive discussion forums. All you need to complete your studies is a PC with a good internet connection.

On successful completion of your studies, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. This is a great way to celebrate your success with friends, family, classmates, and tutors.

 

Okay, I’m interested. How do I apply?

Just click right here or you can download a prospectus to find out more details.